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College Football Review: Wisconsin makes statement against Michigan State

Jake Carlson

Sports Blogger

@jmancarl

This week’s college football weekend didn’t pose an amazing slate but there were some surprising games that could shake up the college football scene.

Games of the Week

Wisconsin vs Michigan State

No. 11 Wisconsin rolled No. 8 Michigan State Spartans 30-6 in an early Big Ten matchup for the two schools that was perhaps the most touted game of the weekend. Big Ten games are hard-fought games that often mirror NFL football. MSU (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) outgained the Badgers on offense by 8 yards (325 to 317). However, the main factor of the game was the turnover margin, which Wisconsin won 4-2.

Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) achieved solid field position and capitalized on its opportunities, while also getting a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown to seal the win late.

Looking forward, the Badgers retained MSU’s No. 8 spot and Sparty moved down to No. 17 in the newest AP poll. The Badgers move on to Michigan in the Big House and MSU looks to take on Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday.

Clemson vs Georgia Tech

No. 5 Clemson handled Georgia Tech 26-7 in Atlanta on Thursday night in an early trap game for the Tigers.

Tech (3-1, 0-1 ACC) usually poses a tough game against a lot of teams since it runs the triple option offense. Many defenses struggle defending it, including Clemson in the past, however, the Tiger defense dominated Thursday night.

The Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC) surrendered only 124 yards to Tech and didn’t allow the Yellow Jackets to score until the fourth quarter. The Tech offense had averaged over 250 yards rushing per game before the game but the Tigers gave up only 95 yards on the yard. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is starting to regain his form and the Tigers are as well.

The Tigers take on the No. 3 Louisville Cardinals, who have been this years’ surprise team, on Saturday. Fortunately for Clemson, the game will be in Death Valley. Georgia Tech faces another tough test against No. 14 Miami in Atlanta on Saturday.

Arkansas vs Texas A&M

Saturday night featured a battle between two early undefeated SEC teams in Arkansas and Texas A&M in AT&T Stadium at Dallas. Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 SEC) remained unbeaten with a 45-24 victory against Arkansas.

Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight, an Oklahoma transfer, is showcasing against SEC defenses and keeping the Aggies rolling early in the season.

Arkansas (3-1, 0-1 SEC) played well but couldn’t get over the turnover bug, which was a large trend of the weekend. This game turned out to not be very close.

The No. 9 Aggies face the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia and the No. 20 Razorbacks face Alcorn State in Fayetteville on Saturday.

Players of the Week

Texas A&M faced Arkansas in Dallas and Knight spoiled Jerry Jones’s hopes of his alma mater winning in his stadium. Knight did decent with his arm but excelled with his legs. Knight averaged 15.7 yards against a solid SEC defense. Texas A&M continues to win behind Trevor Knight.

Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse: 12 receptions, 270 yards, 2 touchdowns

The redshirt senior and graduate transfer from Maryland is putting on a clinic this year.

A bright spot in Syracuse’s season has been Etta-Tawo, who is leading the NCAA in receiving yards this season with 706. His stats have gotten him added to the Biletnikoff award watch list, which is given to the country’s top receiver.

In a Florida matchup, the Seminoles took on South Florida in Tampa Bay. Cook was looking to bounce back after a lackluster performance against Louisville, where he ran for only 54 yards. Cook rebounded by rushing for 267 yards and two touchdowns in hopes to regain his spot on the Heisman watch list.